Group tackles bullying - The Pantagraph
(published in Bloomington, Illinois)
February 14, 2012
By Phyllis Coulter | pcoulter@pantagaph.com
Sarah Saltieo, left, a member of MWAH!, comforts Stacy Conner, February 13, 2012, as she talks about the suicide of her daughter, Ashlynn after she was severely bullied.
The talk was part of MWAH! anti-bullying campaign at Blue Ridge Junior High School in Mansfield..
(The Pantagraph/David Proeber)
Lexi Parr, a member of MWAH!, sings "The Sun Will Rise" during the group's anti-bullying campaign at Blue Ridge Junior High School in Mansfield, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012.
In the background is a poster of Ashlynn Conner, before she committed suicide after being severely bullied.
(The Pantagraph/David Proeber)
Christian Honn, a member of MWAH!, leads Blue Ridge Junior High School students in Mansfield during a dance with an anti-bullying message, February 13, 2012.
(The Pantagraph/David Proeber)
MANSFIELD, IL — All Stacy Conner can do most days is wake up at her home in Ridge Farm and try to get through the day.
It's been like that since Nov. 11, the day her 10-year-old daughter killed herself.
But on Monday, Conner did much more than just "get through the day." Standing in front a photograph of her beautiful, smiling daughter, she spoke to about 130 students, teachers and guests at Blue Ridge Junior High School in Mansfield.
"My daughter has been gone for three months because of senseless bullying she endured at school, and teachers did not listen,&Quot; Conner said in what was her first time speaking to a school group.
"It doesn't have to be like this," she said to the students gathered for an assembly produced by MWAH! (Messages Which Are Hopeful) Performing Arts Group from Chicago. Through singing, dancing and skits, the group tackled a range of current topics, including the child molestation allegations involving a former Penn State University coach, body image and anti-Muslim bigotry, and encouraged students to speak out.
"She tried to get help," Conner said of her daughter. "She told me, she told her teachers."
When Ashlynn reported the name-calling to her teachers, she was told, not to "tattle," Conner said. Kids had called her fat and ugly and accused her of being promiscuous.
Ashlynn had asked her mother the night before her death to be home-schooled. Her mother said Ashlynn had such good grades, she didn't agree to it.
Conner had agreed, however, to go to the principal's office with her daughter the next Monday morning to talk about it. Ashlynn couldn't wait.
She hanged herself with a silk scarf and was discovered by her eighth-grade sister.
Conner encouraged students to report being bullied, to tell the whole story. She believes her daughter was too embarrassed to tell everything that happened, so she and the girl's teachers didn't realize the seriousness.
"I felt so bad for her," said, eighth-grader Chris Winstead said of Conner. "I am sorry for your loss," he told her personally at the assembly.
"Bullying is not tolerated at Blue Ridge," said Megan Otto, librarian and student council sponsor at the kickoff of a new bullying awareness program. There are five levels of consequences at the school, starting with a parent-teacher conference and ending with calling police.
Starting next week students will be able to sign the anti-bullying pledge and get a blue bracelet.
It is voluntary to join SAFE. The group's name is an acronym reminding students the steps to oppose bullying: stand up for yourself and others; always help those who cannot help themselves; face each day positively and lead by example; and encourage others to report bullying.
At the assembly, which ran more than 90 minutes, three students and three teachers were recognized for being "heroes" for things they did for the school, including starting a breast cancer awareness campaign, being the first to help someone in need, and leading by example.
The assembly finale included Blue Ridge students performing a hip-hop dance with the MWAH! troupe.